Are you comparing yourself to an impossible ideal?

 I recently read The Gap and The Gain by Dan Sullivan and Benjamin Hardy, and I now recommend it to everyone! The book is written primarily for entrepreneurs, but if you are an author, you are a small business owner once you publish a book. Besides, the lessons are impactful for anyone at any stage of life. Hardy writes extensively about how looking at gains vs. gaps helps him be a better father. And he has SIX children! 

Often, my clients get into comparison mode after reading an excellent book, falling into the social media scroll hole, or hearing about someone else's success. Too often, as Sullivan and Hardy explain in the book, we compare our current situations to IDEAL situations, which, by the way, are mostly unattainable. Instead, we should "measure backward" to see how far we have come. 

Try this process right now and see how your confidence immediately increases. On a piece of paper, use paragraphs, brain dump notes, or jot down bullet points. Choose any part of your life. For example, use a fitness goal, a book writing goal, a personal challenge, or a work situation. The point is for you to look at situations differently to see the gains, not the gaps, so that you can move forward with more joy.

• Describe how much you knew 3 years ago about the topic or issue. 
• Describe what you have accomplished (no gain is too small) in the past 3 years.
• Describe what you have accomplished in the past year.
• Describe what you have accomplished in the 3 months.
• Describe what you have accomplished in the last month.

List three WINS from yesterday (if you are doing this in the morning) or today (if you are doing this in the afternoon/evening) around your topic.

For an example, I will do the exercise and focus on the topic of online courses that I create for authors:

• Three years ago, I thought online courses were for businesses to train employees or for schools during Covid. In other words, I was clueless!!!
• In the last 3 years, I have learned, thanks to TAKING AN ONLINE COURSE, how to write, deliver, and sell courses.
• In the last year, I have created beta versions for two courses: Self-Publish Your Book! and Write Your Book!
• In the last three months, with lots of help from my team and coaches, I have revised and automated my online course Write Your Book! and it is top notch.
• In the last month, I have revised the process so that writers can buy it online and begin the course immediately with ease.
• Yesterday, I recorded a few social media videos that will help me share news of the course and invite people to sign up.

Three years ago, I was clueless. Ha! I took countless TINY steps to get to where I am today. My "ideal" situation is to have multiple courses created, recorded, loaded to my website, and reaching people through social media that I have curated and polished. My ideal situation is to help THOUSANDS of aspiring authors. If I look at the ideal situation, I may get overwhelmed or mad that I'm not there yet. Maybe I will feel like a failure. BUT, if I look at my list of gains, I am proud, encouraged, and motivated to keep striving toward my goal. 

I hope this exercise benefits you, and I hope you know that I see your gains already!

If you’d like to learn how to start and keep writing, CLICK HERE!

HAPPY WRITING!

Jody

P.S. If you decide to read The Gap and The Gain, I suggest you listen to the audiobook because the authors talk after each chapter to explore more ideas. 

 On a TOUGH hike in the Smokies, I had to struggle as much mentally as I did physically to get to the end of the trail, but I remember the lesson of gain over gap. I created this video to show my children. Enjoy the views of the Smokies!

I made it to Rocky Top! This hike was on my parents' anniversary, so I carried their photo with me. After six miles up hill (and I mean UP all the way), I was exhausted and tearful. The hiking group enjoyed ukelele music, snacks, and bourbon before heading six miles back downhill. Always stop and celebrate!

Are you using email to reach your target readers? You should be!

Did you know that email messages to your target readers have a conversion rate that industry experts say is 30 times as effective as social media? Do you ever wonder why you get so many emails from your favorite shops and organizations? There are countless reasons to use email as a small business owner. By the way, if you are an author with a published book, you are running a small business. 

I enjoy writing emails because doing so is fun for me (I love teaching and inspiring and sharing). Plus, the messages land. If I post on social media, you may or may not see what I share, but if I write directly to you, the message lands in your personal inbox. You will quite likely read my message and even respond. 

Crippled Beagle Publishing client Peyton Leonard Staff does a FANTASTIC job with her emails to target readers. She graciously allowed me to share one of her emails with you. Please look at how she outlines options for her readers to not only enjoy her work but also boost her business.

Hey friend, Happy New Year!! 2024 is going to be amazing. I can feel it in my spirit. I hope you had a lovely holiday season and you are excited to see what God will do in this new year. I know I am! It will be a busy beginning of the year for me (I can get into that in a later email.) I wanted to first share some awesome news with you! Real talk?  Are you feeling frustrated with the low quality content in Christian/speculative fiction? Do you love reading, but can't seem to find a good book without sexuality and language in it? Is it hard for you to get into a novel because of its length and/or its lack of substance? I feel the same way. The book industry is getting more and more superficial with every novel and short story that comes out. It frustrates me to no end.  Since we both know that the book industry is lacking in more ways than one, I would like to introduce you to The Mutates Premier + Bonuses Package. Are you ready for an immersive ride? Grab a front-row seat to The Mutates: The Creation, a story about four teenagers struggling to reclaim their humanity after it was stolen from them! Buckle up for an experience that goes beyond the pages of the book. What's Inside The Mutates segment? The Mutates: The Creation - Your Ticket to a New World Sink into the gripping narrative with a copy of The Mutates: The Creation in eBook form. Your gateway to a world where the extraordinary becomes reality and monsters truly exist. Character List - Navigate the Unseen with Ease Get to know every character intimately with a detailed character list. Enhance your connection to the story as you walk alongside them. "No Right" Theme Song - The Soundtrack to Your Adventure Feel the pulse of the narrative with our exclusive theme song, "No Right." Dive into the world of The Mutates with both orchestral and single versions, included at no extra cost! There's also a lyric sheet so you can sing along! Unearth Hidden Depths - Exclusive Deleted Scenes Discover the untold stories with never-before-seen deleted scenes. Gain insights into the motivations of antagonists and uncover the tales of intriguing side characters. “This all sounds well and good, but I have some reservations about this…” I thought you might. Let's see if I can quell some of those fears. Don't have time to read? No worries! Unlike the 400-page novels you would normally see in Barnes & Noble, my book is only 216 pages long, a short and easy-to-read book. Not sure if you'll like my writing style? I have a solution for that too! Start by checking out the first ten pages of The Mutates by clicking on the image below. It doesn't cost a thing and you can see if you like what you read. Books too expensive? Say no more! I got you! The Mutates Premier + Bonuses Package is only $39.99!  And if you really don't like what you're reading, I promise to give you a 100% refund, no questions asked! You get all things The Mutates as described in the earlier portion of our talk, plus I'm going to gift you some never-before-seen writing projects I've been working on.   Don't miss out on this $100 valued package! Buy now! Happy Reading! Peyton P.S. Forgot to add a link to the package itself! Sorry! Here ya go! (Click here)

Back to Jody now:) 

If you are curious about using email to find more readers, engage with others, and grow your book sales, please reach out to me by scheduling a Next Steps Call here: https://calendly.com/jodydyer/free-first-consultation.

XOXOXO

Jody

Is this the year to switch up your routine?

HAPPY 2024, creative friend! This week, people across the world are reflecting on the goals they set last January. My bet is that many people set the same goals AGAIN every single new year.  I LOVE beginnings, like new books, new TV series, new calendars, and especially MORNINGS. Did you know that you have the most discipline and focus in the mornings? If you are like me, that’s also when your environment is quiet and you can best think creatively.  If you are setting the same goal you did this time last year, you are likely frustrated. If that’s the case, take a look at the PROCESS you tried to use to reach your goal. When writers tell me they have blocks or can’t find the time to work on their books, I ALWAYS ask them to find 15 minutes in the morning. Aim for the minimum number of minutes you know you can create for yourself, then add on as the weeks go by.  Here’s my challenge to you. No matter what your goal is, do something about it every weekday morning for at least 15 minutes. Start with the smallest steps so that you have easy, immediate success. You absolutely can trick yourself into being more and more motivated. This method has worked for me for years. You should see my Excel spreadsheets filled with tiny steps that have led to huge results! GOOD LUCK! If you’d like to share your writing goal, please email me. I love to hear what writers are working on, and I may have a helpful tool to send back to you.  XOXOXO P.S. One of my goals this year is to take at least two sunrise walks every week. I took this photo the last week of December around 7:15 AM. The scene warmed my soul and creative spirit!

 

You have the power to change your thoughts and your reality!

Does a small, disparaging voice in your head tell you that you can’t do something? Does that voice sound like your well-meaning mother, an old friend, a doubting teacher, or a low self-esteem version of you? 

I am learning profound new ways to not only examine my thoughts but also CHANGE them. I’ll summarize my understanding of the brain science I’m trying to learn and put into practice. 

You react to an experience.

Your reaction creates emotions.

The emotions create thoughts.

The thoughts, if repeated for a long time, become your beliefs. 

These beliefs can be WRONG and limiting.

THE GOOD NEWS:

You can listen to your body and identify emotions.

You can then create new thoughts.

You can repeat those new thoughts until they become unconscious, automatic beliefs.

The new belief system (positive, happy, productive) will change your life and help you reach your goals. 

~~~

Remember, I’m NOT a doctor, psychologist, or counselor, but I am a mother and a teacher. I see these mind miracles happen over and over again in my children and my clients and students once they become aware of their thoughts and how those thoughts affect their daily lives. KNOWING that you can CHANGE the way you think, then believe, is EMPOWERING. Your thoughts create your reality in so many ways!

Need an example? Here’s a quick story that I pray is helpful to you. 

Ann wrote a book report in 5th grade. When she read it aloud, other students laughed, and the teacher gave her a C. 

Ann had never made a C before, and she was humiliated in front of her peers. Her tummy hurt, and when she returned to her desk, she put her head down and cried. What’s especially sad is that Ann loved to write and was excited to share her ideas. After the incident, Ann told herself that reading her creative work aloud was painful, she must be a bad writer, and that sharing her ideas would bring humiliation. She thought this for so many years that these terrible notions became her subconscious belief system. 

At age 65, Ann, now retired from a successful business career, wanted to write a book to help young ladies entering the workforce. But, imposter syndrome and the negative belief system whispered in her ear, “Who do you think you are?” “What makes you think YOU can write a book?” “People will laugh at you.” “No one will buy the book.” 

The voices were so forceful that Ann swore she heard them. Frustrated, she gave up and never wrote the book that could have helped hundreds, thousands, or millions of young professionals. What a shame!

Then Ann met a publisher who loved her idea. Ann was vulnerable with the publisher and talked about her fears. The publisher told her, “This is an easy fix. Tell your subconscious something different. Then repeat it until you believe it. Also, ACT like the person you aim to be, not the person you fear you are.”

They “translated” the old beliefs and turned them into mantras that Ann repeated daily:

“Who do you think you are?” became, “I am a successful businesswoman with wisdom to share.”

“What makes you think YOU can write a book?” became, “I have strong written communication skills and 40 years of knowledge.”

“People will laugh at you,” became, “People, especially my target readers (who are the only people who matter), will appreciate my effort and my help.”

“No one will buy the book,” became, “If I can help one young lady feel confident and become successful, I have met my goal. This is a creative process that will help me as much as it will help my readers. Plus, I KNOW I can be successful!”

Ann also set up a writing routine and environment that promoted success. 

One year later, Ann published her book. Within two years, she had received hundreds of letters from young professional women who thanked her for having the guts to write a book to help them.

The End.

~~~

NOT the end! Ann is now working on a series. How about YOU?

How can you apply these concepts and changes to be successful in your life?

I LOVE TALKING TO WRITERS at all stages of the process. If you need guidance, encouragement, ideas, a muse, or just a creative writing friend, reach out to me. Schedule a Next Steps Call right on my calendar here: https://calendly.com/jodydyer/free-first-consultation

XOXOXO